Autism: 10 pieces of advice for parents of a newly diagnosed child.

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By the time my son Matthew was given the official diagnosis of autism at age 5, I already knew. This was almost 20 years ago, and I had only heard the “A” word to describe what Matthew probably wasn’t. Back then, autism was not nearly as prevalent as it is today, and it seemed that nobody wanted to be the messenger. Once the diagnosis was confirmed, it was up to me to figure out who to turn to for help.

Matthew at age three

What a difference TWO decades make! Specialists are able to detect the symptoms of autism earlier and earlier, and while it is never the diagnosis that parents want to hear, there are so many resources available now from the very beginning. I asked parents of children with autism as well as individuals on the autism spectrum to offer their best advice for families of a newly diagnosed child. Here is list of 10 crucial things to help you get started:

1)Allow yourself time to grieve.Don’t let anyone rain on your denial phase! I found that stage to be one of my most productive.

2)Susan Woolner, mother of three boys including twins with autism,(I always listen to a mother of TWINS with autism!)

7)The internet can make you crazy! You will find a lot of support, but you can also find a lot of false promises.

8)Pray for patience.

9)Even though you will occasionally feel like you’re losing your mind, do your best to keep your sense of humor. Autism itself is not funny but it DOES create some situations that are.

10)”No matter the level of his or her challenges,” says’s Lindsey Nebeker, a pianist/songwriter and autism advocate who herself is on the autism spectrum, “your child has a place in this world. Your child has a voice.”

TO BE CONTINUED…

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